Tag Archives: Stephen Fry

Count no blessings: how a suicidal mind works

Posted on June 5, 2013 by purplepersuasion

People very often make the mistake of assuming there is some sort of logic behind suicidal thinking. They assume you must want to die because something, which would certainly make sense. And because they don’t want you to harm yourself, … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health | Tagged , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Don’t manufacture my meaning: a response to Darian Leader

Posted on April 29, 2013 by purplepersuasion

Does illness have a meaning? Does mental distress represent underlying patterns? In experiencing the major mood shifts that constitute bipolar disorder, are we playing out unconscious thoughts or feelings from our earliest years? Darian Leader, writing in the Guardian (Bipolar … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

OK, I’ll admit it – I hate the Silver Linings Playbook

Posted on February 23, 2013 by purplepersuasion

A few weeks ago, I went to see the film Silver Linings Playbook with a friend. I was looking forward to it, because I’d heard such good things about its treatment of bipolar. However, about ten minutes in I began … Continue reading →

Posted in Film and TV, Mental health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

In it together: the Mind Media Awards, social anxiety and me

Posted on November 20, 2012 by purplepersuasion

Several weeks ago the Mind digital team contacted me and asked for my postal address, saying that they would like to send me an invitation to the Mind Media Awards. I was very excited and surprised to be asked, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health, Politics and current affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Everybody hurts? Privilege in mental health.

Posted on October 8, 2012 by purplepersuasion

I’ve seen a lot of discussion lately – most recently this morning on Twitter, regarding the footballer Stan Collymore – as to whether celebrities who are open about mental distress are a) wonderful ambassadors in the fight against stigma, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health, Politics and current affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments